The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
Ron Paul signs autographs Monday at the Borders book store in Roseville, Minn. Many Paul supporters attended.
ROSEVILLE, Minn. — Digital cameras flashed, cell phone videocameras rolled and fans yelled "I love you."
Texas congressman and failed Republican presidential contender Ron Paul is a superstar at last.
At least, it seemed that way at the Rosedale Center mall Borders book store, where nearly a thousand fans seeking his autograph on The Revolution: A Manifesto waited in a line that snaked down to Macy's, more than a football field away.
"Are you kidding? Ron Paul has done so much for this country. What I've done is something so little compared to what he's done," said Tony Sotelo, 32, a postal worker from Ventura, Calif., who drove three days with his older brother Sean Sotelo to hit what's being called the "Ron Paul convention."
Paul's "Rally for the Republic" directly competes with the Republican National Convention and has benefited from its truncated schedule.
The Paul convention ignored the storm and pressed on with the book-signing and a Sunday night delegate welcome reception. A Monday night Ron Paul Nation Celebration was expected to draw a few thousand, including hundreds of GOP convention delegates with more time on their hands than they expected.
10-hour rallyat Target Center
Paul's Rally for the Republic winds up today with nearly 10,000 expected for a 10-hour event at the Target Center featuring Barry Goldwater Jr., former Gov. Jesse Ventura, pundit Tucker Carlson and musician Jimmy Vaughan.
"It's about freedom and liberty and the Constitution," said Jim Barr, a 55-year-old from Pittsburgh wearing colonial hat and peasant shirt at the Roseville Borders. "I told Dr. Paul he's reviving the Constitution."
Paul, 72, had a tough time of it during the primary. He ran as a Republican on a libertarian-leaning platform that included opposing the war, lowering taxes and limiting federal functions to those specified in the Constitution. He never won a state but developed a fervent following, did well in a few western primaries and raised millions over the Internet.
But he has been unwilling to relent and throw his support to McCain, which has put him at odds with the GOP. His supporters have been kicked out of GOP meetings, including in Pasco County earlier this summer, and Paul isn't on the speaking schedule for the Republican National Convention. But he'll be there.
Pushing his agenda
"Our goal isn't to disrupt their operation," said John Tate, executive director of Campaign for Liberty. "Our goal is to have our own separate thing."
The stated goal of Campaign for Liberty is to take up the Paul agenda and carry on where he leaves off. More than 500 die-hard Paul supporters became Campaign for Liberty grass roots leaders. They attended a two-day training program in a Minneapolis suburb, where they learned how to spread the ideals of limited government without the depending upon Paul, the man.
About 50 Floridians attended the training, including Boca Raton software entrepreneur Steven Talcott Smith, 34, who became a fan through watching Paul during a Republican presidential debate last summer.
"I hadn't realized how far off from truth I had drifted," Smith said.
[Last modified: Sep 06, 2008 04:04 PM]
Comments on this article
by RonPaulyGirl
Sep 6, 2008 4:04 PM
Ron Paul's CAMPAIGN FOR LIBERTY mission is to promote and defend the great American principles of individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets, noninterventionist foreign policy, educational and political activity. GO RON
by Mirand Sharma
Sep 6, 2008 4:02 PM
We must follow the Constitution!. If we don't, America will only change for the worst. Following the Constitution saves lives, money, and maintains freedom. Dr. Paul's message is freedom and prosperity by following the Constitution. I'm a former Dem.
by Pepper
Sep 6, 2008 3:06 PM
The insults this incredibly honorable statesman has suffered at the hands of the corrupt, lying, law breaking GOP neocon organization has caused me to give up my precinct chair, my 30 year republican activism and go for Bob Barr or Baldwin. NO MCCAIN
by Angela
Sep 4, 2008 5:38 PM
John @ 1:55 pm has it wrong. McCain is a fascist. Obama is the socialist. Easy mistake to make though!
by ed
Sep 4, 2008 5:23 PM
Ronnie R. says that the Ron Paul supporters need to move on since he didn't win the presidency. The thing Ronnie doesn't realize is that we have already moved on and this is the Campaign for LIBERTY!
by Tony
Sep 4, 2008 5:21 PM
Long live the Republic!
by Dpj
Sep 4, 2008 5:14 PM
DON'T BELIEVE A WORD DR PAUL SAYS, JUST READ HIS BOOKS OR VIEW HIM ON YOUTUBE AND RESEARCH WHAT HE IS SAYING ON YOUR OWN. WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED, YOU WILL BE LIVID WITH YOUR LEADERS, YOUR GOVERNMENT, AND ESPECIALLY WITH YOURSELF!GO DR PAUL!
by Jefferson
Sep 4, 2008 4:57 PM
I am taking a black sharpie with me to my precinct come election day. I will vote RON PAUL if I have to scrawl his name across the ballot (or on the wall).
THIS IS OUR COUNTRY AND WE'RE TAKING IT BACK!
RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!!!
by ROB
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
I'm a registered Democrat that would vote for Ron over both of the leading canidates. It's time for the likes of Ron and Dennis to lead a viable 3rd party in the country.
by Wilson
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
Ron Paul hates gays! Re Gays: "I miss the closet. Homosexuals, not to speak of the rest of society, were far better off when social pressure forced them to hide their activities." (from his newsletter). Sorry, Ron Paul NEVER!
by Chris
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
The Ron Paul Rally was awesome! The Revolution cannot be stopped! Peace, Freedom, Liberty and Prosperity!
by Matt
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
It is mind blowing why the population at large doesn't get behind Ron Paul. Much like Ronald Reagan he realizes how dangerous the Christian right is to the safety of our nation.
by Bridget Panzer
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
Ron Paul cured my apathy!
Endthefed.us
by Dano
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
My bumper sticker: DON'T BLAME ME. I VOTED for RON PAUL!!!
by Rae
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
He had the heart, and the courage, and the wherewithall to get FREEDOM started again, and a loaded train bound for anywhere can not stop him now--try as they may. And there's others who will follow his act.
by ronnie r.
Sep 3, 2008 1:47 PM
JDMAC
I am afraid of Ron Paul and his supporters who believe 9/11 was and inside job. That he says he doesn't believe in pork but got hundreds of millions of dollars of pork for his district. He is a kook and lost big time what don't you get?
by Adam
Sep 3, 2008 1:46 PM
Because of Ron Paul, I will dedicate myself fully to restoring the republic and fighting for the cause of liberty and the Constitution. Thank you Dr. Paul!!! Thank you so much!!!
by Ryan
Sep 3, 2008 1:46 PM
This country is starting to wake up and realize that we can?t continue down the same path the republicans and democrats have been leading us. I?m excited that more people are hearing Ron Paul?s message of freedom and personal responsibility.
by Andy
Sep 3, 2008 1:46 PM
If people who live in this country the US
and care about it they must see that they
have to get b-hind RON PAUL, because with more taxes, and wars all over LADIES AND GENTLEMAN IT'S THE END.
by T.P.A.
Sep 3, 2008 1:46 PM
I am only recently introducing myself to RP's ideas, and am grateful there is a leader for this necessary revolution. As I continue to familarize myself with the C.F.L., and strengthen my body and mind, I ask you the people to do the same. Freedom.
by John
Sep 3, 2008 1:46 PM
Thank you Ron Paul! Good luck with the movement to get more constitutional politicians into office! How could anyone argue with that?
by Joni
Sep 2, 2008 7:51 PM
Ya'll STILL don't get it! He is not a "failed" anything. This R3VOLution is not about him/a political office. IT'S ABOUT RETURNING TO THE RULE OF LAW: The Constitution. You sheeple need to WAKE UP.
by Starchild
Sep 2, 2008 7:50 PM
May the Campaigners for Liberty in Minneapolis succeed beyond their wildest dreams. Power to the People! Animated video on the philosophy of liberty - http://www.isil.org/resources/introduction.swf
by Maureen
Sep 2, 2008 7:09 PM
Whoa, the paultards never give up do they? I want my 5 minutes back now please.
by Political Patriot
Sep 2, 2008 6:49 PM
You only cast a wasted vote when you cast it for "the lesser of two evils". Vote for anyone but McCain and Obama and send a message to the power brokers stealing our nation. We're not going to let this happen without a fight!
by Lou
Sep 2, 2008 5:08 PM
Steve Talcott Smith, quoted in the article, is one of the leaders of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, a libertarian-leaning GOP outfit. Check it out at www.rlcfl.org.
by Larry
Sep 2, 2008 5:00 PM
Ronny R, Just be glad that we are taking up the cause for you since you obviously haven't been paying attention in class again!!!
by Let's be truthful
Sep 2, 2008 4:50 PM
Ron Paul supporters: I was told, by Bunting, the Repub Executive Committee Chair, that, "The Republican Party doesn't need Ron Paul supporters. We have enough good people." Direct quote, right from the horse's mouth (or maybe the other end).
by Douglas
Sep 2, 2008 4:14 PM
The Paul campaign not only educated many people, it exposed the corruption that exists between the media and the Republican and Democratic parties. The media is owned by the military/industrial complex and serves its master as a propaganda machine.
by Albert
Sep 2, 2008 3:48 PM
Ron Paul is my hero. He brought me back to the Constitution and taught me about freedom and responsibility. Once you meet Ron Paul, you have found the real deal. McCain/Palin won't cut it for me.
by Colin
Sep 2, 2008 1:53 PM
I have been a die-hard Paul fan since I saw him on the Daily Show. I dont really care what anyone else says about my political beliefs, I think THEY are the crazy ones. In his books, Dr Paul always uses sound logic in his approaches to freedom.
by Henry
Sep 2, 2008 1:53 PM
Ron Paul is NOT a politician but rather a statesman and founding father material. Telling the truth must be like a cross to a vampire to you neo-con shills. We will win this revolution and we will take back America from you warmongering murderers.
by Serena
Sep 2, 2008 1:53 PM
Yay! I wish I was there.
by Bob
Sep 2, 2008 1:53 PM
The Constitution has not been followed for decades. Paul is the only politician in Washington who wants to bring it back from the dead. I'll have to write him in.
by Bob
Sep 2, 2008 1:53 PM
To Sal: If Paul's foreign policy is so kooky then please tell me why the Swiss are doing just fine. I hope you like seen hundreds of billions of tax dollars squandered in pointless wars.
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